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The Tale of Kieu, Commentary Part 2
The talk begins with the story of Kim, Kieu, Van, Quan: Thuy Kieu is betrothed to Kim Trong, promising to live a “hundred-year life” together, but only a few hours later, two misfortunes befall them in succession—Kim Trong must return home to attend a funeral, and Kieu’s family is imprisoned by the authorities—forcing Kieu to sell herself to ransom her father, falling into the hands of Ma Giam Sinh and then Thuc Sinh, enduring the life of a courtesan and servant through many hardships.
After fifteen years of wandering, Thuy Kieu is rescued by Nun Giac Duyen, becomes ordained, and is lifted from the Tien Duong river; meanwhile, Kim Trong and Vuong Quan pass the imperial exams and become officials, organizing a memorial ceremony believing Kieu to be dead, only to be stunned when Kieu appears before them. Their reunion is depicted in two verses:
Who could have guessed what time it is now, so clear before our eyes, yet we wonder if it is but a dream.
The talk emphasizes the role of the Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, and Giac Duyen—“the conditions for awakening”—as the refuge amid “winds driving clouds swirling.” It concludes with verses by Nguyen Du praising simple happiness:
The whole family gathers morning and evening, cool breezes and moonlight on our faces, salt and pickled vegetables nourish our hearts,
boundless expanses on all sides, the tide rises morning and night, clouds drift before and behind,
past calamities swept clean and clear.